The National Biodiesel Board is welcoming the news of passage of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049)… better known as the the Energy and Tax Extenders Act by the NBB. It’s no wonder the group considers its final passage the NBB’s top legislative priority as it extends the biodiesel tax incentive, and contains other biodiesel …
Renewable Energy Tax Credit Passes House
The U.S. House today has passed a measure seen as important because it extends renewable energy production and investment tax credits has cleared its latest hurdle. H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008, got through the U.S. House by a 263-160 margin. This story posted on RenewableEnergyWorld.com says if it clears Congress, it will mean billions …
Bulldogs & Biodiesel Dominate Challenge X
Biodiesel-powered vehicles were the dominating force during this year’s Challenge X… a four-year engineering competition with 17 university teams from across North America developing General Motors vehicles using alternative energies. Drivers pulled up to the U.S. Department of Energy’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. earlier today in the final 400-mile rally for the competition. This press release from GM says a …
One-third of U.S. Production Meets Quality Program
Two more biodiesel producers and a marketer have joined the ranks of those that are meeting a strict fuel quality assurance. BQ-9000 is a voluntary fuel quality assurance program, overseen by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission (NBAC) and adopted by the National Biodiesel Board and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. This press release from the National Biodiesel Board says an …
Bubble in Renewables Feared
A report out from accounting firm KPMG says that 60 percent of executives believe that consolidation in the renewable energy sector will continue. That’s leading to fears that a bubble may be developing in the solar, wind, and biofuel sectors as bidders compete for assets and send prices sharply higher. This story from Reuters says many of those same executives …
NBB Honors New Uses for Glycerine
The National Biodiesel Board has recognized a group of U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers for finding new uses for natural glycerine, a by-product of biodiesel production, replacing glycerine made from non-renewable petroleum. This press release from the NBB has details: For their research, Drs. Richard Ashby, Daniel Solaiman and Thomas Foglia of the USDA’s Agriculture Research Service Eastern Regional Research …
More Biodiesel Plants Switching to Animal Fats
As the price of the main feedstock for biodiesel… soybeans… continues to rise, more producers are switching to alternatives, especially animal fats. This story in the Des Moines (IA) Register says the change might help solve the food-versus-fuel debate: Renewable Energy Group (REG) of Ames now runs animal fats in at least four of its seven biodiesel plants in the …
House Committee Extends Biodiesel Incentive
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee has approved the Energy and Tax Extenders Act of 2008, a measure that will extend the biodiesel tax incentive through the end of next year and provides a dollar-per-gallon incentive for all biodiesel regardless of feedstock. Passage in the committee gained the praise of the National Biodiesel Board: “I would like to thank …
Senators Pleased With Energy Title of Farm Bill
Two of the main architects of the new Farm Bill are more than thrilled with overwhelming passage of the legislation this week by both the House and Senate. “Senate passage of the farm bill conference report on a strong, bipartisan basis demonstrates support for core farm bill initiatives – conservation, energy, nutrition and rural development – while continuing and strengthening …
Biofuels Flying High with Algae
Airbus and JetBlue Airways are just two of a handful of airlines exploring the use of biofuels made from algae to power their planes. The Green Tech Blog reports that a joint biofuel effort – which also includes international airlines Aero Engines, Honeywell Aerospace and UOP, a second Honeywell company – was announced Thursday. The group plans to study ways …